Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139844414118669/episodes/822139845661427069
A little time had passed, and it was lunchtime.
After listening to Lloyd san explain the class schedule, I met up with Elisia and Rio, then joined Liene, Yu, and Ciel—who were in Class A—and we all headed to the school’s main cafeteria.
“It’s so crowded…”
“Yeah, it is.”
I nodded in agreement with Liene’s comment.
Perhaps because it was lunchtime, the number of people in the cafeteria was extraordinary. Not only were there long lines at the serving counters, but the tables were packed with students sitting shoulder to shoulder.
Although there was a buzz of activity, there were no frivolous voices to be heard.
Most of the students I could see were eating while poring over papers in front of them—course schedules or application forms.
“Everyone’s so serious.”
“Yeah. Since a single choice can affect your survival rate, it’s only natural to be cautious.”
Ciel replied to Yu’s words.
The class system at the Royal Arcadia School of Magic is somewhat unique.
While classes are typically conducted in a manner no different from other schools, the system changes drastically during the one year when the Primordial Labyrinth Conquest—which occurs every hundred years—takes place.
The course content becomes a student-selected system.
Each student visits a teacher to acquire the skills and knowledge they need, seeking instruction from them.
If you want to master the sword, you go to a swordsman who holds the title of knight.
If you want to learn labyrinth navigation, you go to an adventurer.
If you want to delve deep into magical theory, you go to a mage.
If you want to learn about creating or handling magical artifacts, you go to a technician—and so on.
This is a special, one-year-only system designed for students to learn the skills necessary for survival.
Consequently, the number of teachers is several times that of normal times, and their ranks are not limited to scholars and full-time faculty.
(The Knights’ Order, the Adventurers’ Guild, the Royal Mage Tower, the Royal Institute of Technology—. Experts from all over the country have been gathered to serve as temporary instructors for just this one year, I see… Just like in a game.)
As I scanned the room, I could see adults mingling with the students, seated around the desks.
A man with a physique clearly accustomed to the battlefield. Wrapped in a cloak and standing with his back straight, I could make out a well-worn sword at his waist.
At the next table, a woman in a robe was tapping a piece of paper with her finger.
Beside her, several students were listening intently, holding their breath.
A little further away, a man in leather armor was spreading out a map. At a table in the back, an older man was taking apart what looked like a magical artifact. Even though they were all eating lunch, their hands didn’t waver at all.
(If I asked them for guidance, I should be able to acquire “special abilities” or “unique skills” just like in the game.)
Even when leveling up, such abilities would sometimes awaken.
But fundamentally, they’re acquired through classes. Until the day we tackle the Primordial Labyrinth, should we seek instruction from teachers, engage in self-training, or venture into other labyrinths to aim for a boost in basic abilities through leveling up?
Which path to take, and which to give up?
Being forced to make choices down to this level is typical of CHOICE//MAZE.
With these thoughts in mind, we lined up at the serving area to receive our meals.
We spread out our food at the tables and started chatting—
“Hey, hey! Rai, whose class are you going to take? If you haven’t decided yet, how about my grandpa’s class!? He’ll teach you tons about magical artifacts, so I highly recommend it!”
Rio, sitting across from me, leaned forward to make the suggestion.
Her sparkling emerald eyes were fixed directly on me.
Albert’s classes are useful.
Taking his classes lets you handle more magical tools and even craft them while exploring dungeons—I remember being saved by him quite a few times in the game, too. Even without Rio saying anything, I had planned to drop by eventually.
However, unfortunately, it’s not my top priority—
“…No, I’m going to ask the Knight Commander for guidance first.”
“The Knight Commander? Weren’t you more of a mage type?”
Elisia, who had been dining elegantly at the next table, tilted her head.
True, I am the type who fights primarily with magic. My basic style is to take up a position in the rear, buff my allies, and then overwhelm enemies with area-of-effect and single-target spells.
I can also use “Ability Enhancement” to advance and fight with punches and kicks, though.
…Well, I’m not really the type to charge forward.
“I’ve been thinking about something.”
“Thinking, huh…”
Elisia’s suspicious gaze pierces right through me.
She’s a smart girl. She must sense some kind of intention behind my decision to deliberately not focus on developing my strengths.
“I’ll still develop my magic. That won’t change.”
I set down my fork and spoke, choosing my words carefully.
“It’s just that I want to be prepared for situations where magic won’t work.”
A brief silence hangs in the air.
After a moment, it’s Yu who speaks up.
“You mean dealing with those who are immune to it?”
“Yeah. There could be situations with chaotic battles, poor visibility, or when we’re packed in close with our allies. Plus—it seems the labyrinth has taken quite a liking to me.”
As I said this and gave a meaningful smile, the expressions of Elisia and Liene on either side of me clouded over.
They must be recalling what happened the other day in the Primordial Labyrinth.
The grand hall stained red. The overflowing hordes of monsters.
They barely escaped with their lives, but that scene must surely have been etched into their minds as a tangible terror.
Seeing their somber expressions, the three across from us sensed something was wrong and fell silent.
“――Did something… happen?”
“In the Primordial Labyrinth, all sorts of things…”
I replied to Ciel’s question, then interlaced my fingers and looked around at everyone.
“Anyway, you guys should take the class so you don’t end up regretting it. Yu. You were the vanguard, right? Want to join me?”
“……Huh? Is that okay? I’m in Class A, though.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
I answered immediately. Then, when I looked at Elisia next to me, she seemed to have calmed down somewhat and nodded with her usual air of composure.
“Class assignments are just a rough guide for roles, after all.”
Elisia smiled quietly and tapped her application form lightly with her fingertips.
“A is high, B is low—it’s not that simple. Conquering a dungeon is like a stage play. It doesn’t work with just one lead actor, does it?”
Her voice was soft, but her words carried conviction.
“There are those who break through the front lines, and those who support them. There are those who handle supplies, and those who secure the retreat route. The roles are different, but there’s no hierarchy of value— In fact, it’s far more dangerous to misunderstand this as a ‘hierarchy’ without understanding the roles.”
Yu crossed his arms again at her explanation, looking as if he wasn’t quite convinced.
“…But isn’t it a fact that Class A is treated as the main force?”
“You’re getting too hung up on the word ‘main force’.”
Elisia chuckled softly.
“The main force moves to the front. That’s why they stand out. That’s all. If rear support collapses, the main force will crumble in an instant. Neither can function without the other.”
She scanned the room, looking at everyone.
“We aren’t pawns. We aren’t cogs in a machine. We are people who understand, choose, and fulfill our own roles. There’s no hierarchy there.”
Liene exhaled as if relieved.
“……That’s right, isn’t it?”
“Of course.”
Elisia shrugged her shoulders lightly.
“Classes are nothing more than a way to organize ‘positions.’ Ultimately, both ability and growth depend on the individual. The lectures are joint sessions, aren’t they? Then there’s no reason to hold back.”
Yu, who had listened to Elisia’s words until the end, looked at them once more.
“……So it’s okay for me to go?”
“No problem.”
She nodded in response to Yu’s question.
Elisia narrowed her eyes slightly, a mischievous glint in them.
“Actually, it would be more of a problem if you held back. The stronger you become, the more people you’ll be able to protect.”
There was a sense of confidence in her tone, yet it didn’t come across as pushy.
“Hold onto your pride. But don’t harbor any sense of superiority. —That’s the prerequisite for surviving this year.”
It was a quiet, yet decisive way to wrap things up.
Yu chuckled softly and looked at me with a defiant gaze.
“……Got it. Well then, I’ll take you up on that without hesitation. …But don’t get mad if I ever surpass you, okay?”
“Yeah. Go ahead and try if you can.”
When I shrugged and replied like that, Yu’s eyes widened for just a moment—then he immediately smiled defiantly.
In fact, Yu’s potential is off the charts. His physical growth potential, total magical power, and combat instincts—in every respect, he possesses the qualities befitting a story’s “protagonist.” It was precisely because of who he is that he was able to sever the negative spiral created by the Primordial Labyrinth in the game.
(You just fulfill your duty. —I’ll be the one to sever every future you stand to lose.)
Muttering that to myself, I picked up my fork as if nothing had happened.
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